Chapter 138 Loyalty or Death
Valentina
Tess was still staring at me, wide-eyed but trying to play it cool. The girl had composure, I’d give her that. But I saw the little tell—the way her fingers tightened around her fork before relaxing again. She was absorbing everything. Cataloguing it.
We ate in a comfortable quiet for a few minutes. Tess snuck glances my way, but I let her stew. Let her think. Let her feel the weight of that silence before I finally leaned back in my chair, coffee in hand, and met her eyes across the table.
“I’m gonna give it to you straight, Tess,” I said, calm and clear. “And I’m going to give you a choice.”
She froze mid-chew, then swallowed hard and sat up straighter. “Okay…”
“I brought you here yesterday because you needed help. And because I saw something in you worth saving. But I didn’t lay everything out up front. I didn’t want to overwhelm you. I needed to see how you reacted to this place. To Rosco. To me. And I wanted to give you a second to breathe before I dropped the full truth in your lap.”
She nodded slowly, cautious. “Okay…”
“Our world is not normal. It’s dangerous. And stepping into it? Choosing it? That’s a choice you don’t get to undo easily. Loyalty is everything. Discretion is law. Anything you hear within these walls—anything you see involving me, Matteo, Rosco, or anyone tied to this family—is confidential. Non-negotiable.”
Tess was sitting still now. Completely still. Like prey waiting to see if the predator was bluffing.
I sipped my coffee, then lowered the cup, watching her over the rim.
“So here’s the deal. If you don’t want to be a part of this world, I’m not going to force it on you. You’ll still get help. You can keep the clothes I bought you. You’ll keep the phone. I’ll set up a modest bank account to get you started, help you find a nice apartment and a decent job. We’ll part ways. No hard feelings.”
Her brows furrowed, but she didn’t speak.
“Or…” I continued, voice soft but sharp now, “you can stay. Become part of our world. Work for me. Learn everything. Earn your place.”
“But,” I added, setting my cup down with a faint clink, “if you stay, there’s no backing out. Not unless we trust you completely. Not unless we know—with absolute certainty—that no trouble will ever come from your exit.”
She licked her lips. “What happens if someone does want to leave?”
I smiled, but there was no humor in it. “If someone leaves and can’t be trusted, they disappear. Loyalty isn’t a guideline here. It’s a rule. Break it, and there’s no second chance.”
Tess went pale. “So… this is like… a gang?”
I laughed lightly, shaking my head. “Of sorts, I suppose. Call it what you want—syndicate, family, cartel. I don’t really care about labels.”
I leaned forward, elbows on the table now, every inch of me radiating calm certainty.
“But hear me loud and clear, Tess. If you ever cross me—I will kill you.”
Her breath hitched.
“I’m not saying that to scare you,” I said, voice soft again. “I’m saying it because it’s the truth. And I always tell the truth, even when it’s ugly. Being close to me, to Matteo, being considered family? That won’t save you. Loyalty is the only thing that matters here. You could ask my dead father for confirmation. Or Luca’s cousin. If you could find what’s left of him.”
Tess stared at me, a hundred thoughts racing behind her eyes. But she didn’t flinch. Didn’t cry. Didn’t run.
Interesting.
I leaned back again, giving her space. Letting her decide.
“This is your moment,” I said. “Nobody’s forcing your hand. If you want out, we’ll get you settled safely. If you want in, you need to understand what that really means. It’s not glamour. It’s not power. It’s sacrifice. Discipline. Loyalty, no matter what.”
Tess looked down at her plate for a long moment, then lifted her gaze to mine.
“I want in,” she whispered.
“Say it louder.”
“I want in,” she said again, firmer this time. “I don’t care how dangerous it is. I don’t have anything else out there. I’ve never belonged anywhere. But I want to belong here.”
I studied her for a beat. Then gave a small nod.
“Alright,” I said. “Then we start today.”
Tess exhaled, almost in relief. Like she’d just passed a test.
Which she had.
I picked up my fork again and gave her a wink. “Eat up, rookie. You’ve got a long day ahead.”
And she grinned.
Like she already knew she’d do anything to keep it.
Tess had just taken another bite of her cheesy eggs when Rosco strolled into the dining room, boots heavy on the tile, swagger in every step.
He walked straight past the table, snagged a biscuit from the basket, tore it open, and stacked three strips of bacon inside before taking a bite like it was the most normal thing in the world.
“You already ate breakfast,” came Matteo’s voice as he entered behind him, buttoning the cuff of his sleeve.
Rosco shrugged, licking a bit of grease off his thumb. “I’m a growing boy. I require a certain amount of protein and calories a day. Keeping this chiseled physique isn’t just about lifting weights—you’ve gotta feed the beast too.”
Matteo didn’t miss a beat. “Okay, Arnold. You can put your Mr. Universe sash away.”
That earned a giggle from Tess—and a wink from Rosco, which only made her blush harder.
I caught it.
Matteo did too.
He looked at me and arched a brow. “Did you give her the talk?”
“Mmhm.” I took another sip. “Laid it all out.”
“Good.” He walked behind my chair and slid a hand into my hair, tugging gently until I tipped my head back for him. His lips met mine in a deep kiss, slow and claiming. Tess looked away, but not before I caught her eyes widen a little.
When he finally pulled back, Matteo’s hand brushed my jaw, and he murmured, “We’ll be back later.”
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“We need to make the rounds. I want to check in with Tony, see how things are going with him taking over Big John’s position. Then we’re meeting with the PI, see what he’s dug up for us.”
I nodded. “Keep me posted.”
“Always.” Another kiss, quicker this time. “Don’t burn the house down.”
“No promises.”
Rosco gave a mock salute with his half-eaten biscuit. “Try not to miss me too much.”
“Oh, I won’t,” I said sweetly, standing and swiping a piece of bacon off his sandwich just to make my point.
He smirked, mouth still full.
Matteo was already halfway to the door, but he glanced back once more. “Tess, welcome to the lion’s den.”
She swallowed hard. “Thanks. I think.”
And then they were gone, leaving me and my newest shadow in a dining room full of secrets.
I turned back to her with a smirk.
“Now. Let’s get to work.”